CHAPTER XX.

ΤΗ

PARABLES AND INTERPRETATIONS.

HEN Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said unto them,

Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables; that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

And he said unto them,

Now

Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables. Hear Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The sower soweth the word. Those by the way-side where the word is sown, are they that hear the word of the kingdom; but when they have heard, and

understandeth it not, then Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts: lest they should believe and be saved. This is he which received seed by the way-side.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, in time of temptation, when affliction or persecution ariseth, for the word's sake, immediately they are offended, and fall away.

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard the word, go forth, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and pleasures of this life, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience; some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

And he said unto them,

No man, when he hath lighted a candle,

covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bushel, or under a bed: but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, that shall not be known and come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And he said unto them,

Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

And his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them,

He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire: so shall it be in the end of this

world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus saith unto them,

Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them,

Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them,

My mother and my brethren are those which hear the word of God and do it.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE HOMELESS SAVIOUR-THE STORM-DEMONIAC.

AND it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. And the same day, when the even was come, when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him,